England beat South Africa by 2 wickets

by A.C. de Silva

Monday December 20, 1948 is a day many English Cricket followers remember as those days matches were of tour days duration:

This first Test was won by England by 2 wickets at Kingsmead, Dusban and it was Test No. 306.

England made 253 and 128 for 8 wickets and South Africa 161 and 128 for 8 wickets.

That was a historic occasion for England as it was the first Test of the 1948-49 rubber - the only time a Test has been decided on the last ball.

South Africa won the toss and decided to bat. They made 161 with Alac Bedeser taking 4 for 39. England replied 253 all out, with Len Hutton top - scoring with 83. Top wicket-taker for South Africa was Tufty Mann (who came with his death just four years later at the tragically young age of 31) with 6 for 59.

In their second innings the Springboks made 219. England progressed steadily but needed eight runs from the last eight - ball over, for victory.

At the crease were Alec Bedser (not out on 1) and Cliff Gladwin (not out on 6) and the bowling for the Springboks was Lindsay Tuckelt. Bedser levelled the scores off the sixth ball but then Gladwin missed the seventh delivery.

It was down to the last ball. Gladwin missed again but the ball hit his thigh and he and Bedser rushed a led bye to ensure victory for England.